8 Posts and other Goal Updates

One of my big goals was to blog more in 2015.  8 posts so far?  I'm not sure I'd call that a success, but I guess it's better than nothing.  Part of blogging more would mean that I either a) take my camera out of the closet and actually use it, which I haven't in months! or b) start transferring my iPhone pics and videos more frequently.  I know the family reading this really wants to see the pictures, huh? :)

I thought I'd take a few minutes to check in with my goals for the year.  I have four main goals and a bucket list of twelve items.

Goal #1 - Get back to blogging....and I'm making an effort, can you tell?  I'm actually thinking about starting another blog, too.  More on that another time, though.

Goal #2 - Budgeting and Saving - this one is going well!  I do our weekly budget, I have my cash savings envelopes that are getting filled and Jarrod's bonus will pay off the credit cards we want to get paid off so we'll be back to saving more.  Woohoo!
Goal #3 - Cook with the kids more - I'm kinda iffy on this one.  We've cooked together, and both kids have actually come in and asked to help with dinner on their own once, but I think we could do better.

Goal #4 - Healthy role model/gentler parent - chugging along!  They see me running and are cheering me on as I prepare for this half marathon.  We have had a few rough weeks with a lot of sibling fights and not listening but I'm really trying to remind myself to take that three second pause before reacting.

And for my bucket list...

1. Make a DVD of my Flip/iPhone videos - Haven't started

2. Overhaul craft closet - Worked on it, but still have more to do

3. Complete a half marathon - Will be checking this off in 18 days

4. Take a weekend road trip to a new place - Nothing planned yet

5. Print another blog book - Plan to order one with the next coupon code

6. Grow Team AIM to at least 15 coaches - welcomed one coach

7. Make an effort to have two dates with Jarrod (outside the home!) - Plan to surprise him with a lunch date soon

8. Back up all my photos and create a system for organizing them - Got all photos onto the external hard drive, but need to work on old laptop

9. Read 10 books (and actually keep track!) - three books done!

10. Donate my hair to Locks of Love - It's growing....still needs to get a little longer

11. Make a recipe binder/notebook - Haven't started

12. Put cash into my savings envelopes every week, no matter how small - success so far!

I hope you're all doing well in 2015, too.

24 Days

Holy cow.  I knew the half marathon was later this month.  We've been talking about that.  But, when I get an email and the subject line is 'Half Marathon - 24 Days Out' the anxiety hits.  Winter weather came late here, and with the abundance of snow days on top of sick kids, I'm so behind.  I've missed many training runs, and my longest run has only been 8 miles.  I have a lot of work to do.

I'm so worried that my legs are going to buckle under me while I'm running.  I'm worried about how my knees are going to handle the run because of some discomfort I've been having.  I'm worried about making it the entire run.  I'm worried about it taking forevvvver for me to finish. 

But then, when I'm out there running, I imagine how it will feel to cross that finish line.  I know in the moment, I won't care how long it takes me.  I know there will be this overwhelming push to keep going from the crowd and other runners.  And I know there will likely be tears.

So, please....let today and tomorrow be our last winter weather occurrences and let the weather take a turn for the better.  I will be spending the next three weeks running.  And running some more.  And the next three weekends running long runs, listening to podcasts, and logging the miles that will help me get to 13.1.  Thirteen point one.  What an accomplishment that will be!

 

February

In comparison to last year, we had a very different winter.  Much less snow and much less germs!  But, February came through for us.

February break started with a sick Gavin.  He woke up the first Sunday of break, complaining of feeling so tired and was really emotional.  Through the day, he started saying his head hurt, took a nap but couldn't quite quick the grogginess, etc.  I knew he wasn't feeling well because of the tears...he's a really emotional sick person.  I took him to the doctor on Monday afternoon, and sure enough, strep throat.  What a way to kick off February break!  But...within just a couple days, he was back to 100% and we enjoyed a nice week off from school. 

And then, surprise!  The snow finally found it's way to Arkansas.  We ended up with an extra long February break because of the bonus of two snow days.  Once Daddy got home that Monday (because Mommy wasn't feeling the best that day), the kids got to go out and enjoy a little snow time.  I love playing in the snow!

That same night, Gavin went to bed saying his belly was hurting, and we were awaken around 10 that night to him getting sick.  Fun stuff.  But, it was a one time thing and he seemed fine the next day. 

Fast forward to this week, and this time our Monday morning started off bright and early with little miss saying her tummy didn't feel good.  That was the start of 12 hours of constant vomiting.  First stomach bug for our baby girl.  She was pathetic!  And while she's still not back to her normal self, she did eat about 1/4 of a bagel this morning and has kept it down.  The sweet girl is napping right now and I am keeping my fingers crossed that she may wake up wanting to eat a little more.  We sure have spent a lot of time on the couch with Disney Jr. over the last 24 hours!

Of course, the snow and germs has thrown my training schedule for a bit of a loop and I'm behind on my miles for February, but I'll get there.  Just 4.5 weeks until the race!  I did my longest run to date last weekend...7.8 miles. :)  Shooting for 8.5 this weekend.

Being Gavin

He's almost seven.  SEVEN.  I can't even explain how that happened.  We're halfway through our first grade year and he's excelling at school.  He makes us so proud.  We rewarded him with the Star of the Day plate back in January when he was named Terrific Kid for the week and brought home a super report card on the same day.

 

He's pretty much obsessed with anything Lego, Star Wars, and Minecraft right now.  I was expecting Skylanders overload since he got his first video game for Christmas, but surprisingly that hasn't taken over.  His room is always a disaster with Legos everywhere, and it makes me completely anxious to walk in his room and see Star Wars Legos mixed with Chima Legos and bricks from Lego City.  My organized mind needs them all separate...but not his.

 

 

He's been creating things to submit to Lego Club magazine, too.  He's hoping some of his cool creations get published and that he might win their recent contest. :) 

  

Minecraft is the newest obsession.  It's one that I don't understand at all...and I can't say I enjoy the constant stories about zombies and creepers and survival mode.  But, his little mind is definitely loving it and he's always thinking of what he will create next.  Science is another love.  He's really enjoying the science kits he got for Christmas and the family is liking our Science Sunday tradition.

The personality on this kid goes from one extreme to the next.  He is a very quiet, reserved, and cautious kid one minute, and then dancing around being goofy the next.  We certainly do love the funny side of him just as much as the serious.  I've always worried about how sensitive he is and how that will play out as he gets older around his peers.  Time will tell, I suppose, but for now I try really hard to keep communication open with him and encourage him to talk about his feelings and be ok with letting us know when something is bothering him.

I definitely have more pictures these days of his selfie-obsessed sister, but usually he sees me pull out the phone or camera and immediately hides his face or runs the other way.  But every once in a while, he will ask me to take a picture to show something to Daddy or to send to Mimi.  That always makes me happy. :)  And lately, he's been asking me if he can lay with me while we're just hanging on the couch watching some tv or for our movie night, which is a welcome request since it's usually Riley asking if she can snuggle with me.  I love these close moments with my boy.

 I love being able to go into his classroom and volunteer weekly (though I am taking a break from that until April as I prepare to run this half marathon and need that morning for running now).  It's reassuring to see him in his element and see how he is around his friends.  Until Gavin was born, I never wanted to be a stay-at-home-mom, and even after he was born, I never expected to be one.  When our life took a turn (for NY!) and I left my career to raise him (and now Riley, too) my entire view of what was important changed.  I get asked a lot if I will go back to work full-time when Riley starts kindergarten, but I know in my heart that I won't.  When I'm in his classroom, watching him and helping the school staff, it is so rewarding and I love being so present in his life.

 

 We're currently on snow day #2 after a week off for February break.  I'm not gonna lie and say it's been all giggles and smiles.  Brother and Sister have definitely had enough of one another and are ready for a little separation.  But I am soaking up every minute I get to spend with him.  I'm looking forward to a new adventure with our Bug - soccer starts in two weeks!  {Ok...let's be honest.  Soccer isn't my favorite, but neither was Thomas the Train, or Star Wars, or Legos...being a mom changes you!}  I'm excited to see how he interacts with his peers in his first team sport and to see what he loves and what he hates about it.  {He decided to stop Cub Scouts because the times conflicted and he was really excited to try soccer for the first time.} 

We love this little man so much!

Oh, Riley Girl

As I was going through photos and figuring out what I needed to catch up on next, I decided that maybe I'd just focus on one kiddo at a time.  I have so many silly pics of this crazy girl.  She drives me bananas, brings me to giggles, and warms my heart....every single day.  

I knew it was only a matter of time before she got into my makeup.  She loves to dress up and look at herself in the mirror.  Often times I'll give her my old makeup brush and she pretends to do her makeup while I get ready. Of course, the only times she has been naughty with my makeup has been with my expensive stuff....once time digging out almost my entire, new container of concealer, and another time dumping my mineral veil on the carpet because it 'needed to smell good.' This, however, was the first time she got into my makeup and used it on herself...but she really wanted a beard like Daddy!

And she loves to brush my hair and make me pretty.

Of course, I can't update about Riley and NOT mention ballet/tap class.  The girl is obsessed with it!  She has had three classes now, and absolutely adores it.  Two of the three Wednesdays she has worn her tights and leotard all day, and on the first day she cried all the way home because she wanted to stay in the class and not leave.  I'm not gonna lie....I'm slightly overwhelmed at the thought of becoming a 'dance mom.'  Haha!  Of course she'd pick something so pricey to fall in love with.

Despite her love of dancing, she's still quite clumsy.  Like the time she was walking through the grocery store with her hands in her pockets and decided she'd try a dance move while still walking....that involved crossing her legs.  Cue tripping and falling flat on her face!

Riley has such an amazing personality and sense of fashion.  She seriously cracks me .  This is how she dressed herself to go for a walk around the neighborhood....

 And at least five days a week she's seen in this purple dress (and yes, sometimes it's backwards...purposely.)

Maybe I shouldn't be so proud of her for this...but the girl loves some Taylor Swift and can really rock the lyrics in the car with me.  :)  Her new favorite part is in 'Blank Space' and she says (in her words...) "I can junk in jealousy. You come back each time I see. Cause darling I'm a nightmare dressed like a daydream."

And, boy oh boy, you can only imagine how this makes my heart leap when I see her pretending to be a teacher!  She's all about pretend play these days.  I love when she's 'going to the grocery store' with her babies and when she talks to her friends on her phone.  One of these days I'm going to capture on video how she makes faces at herself every time she gets up to wash her hands or brushes her teeth.  Seriously, so funny!

Love you, Riley girl.